Postino and Joyride Taco House won't be opening at Sky Harbor Airport's Terminal 3 after all. Instead, SanTan Brewing Company will join the restaurant lineup.

It has been nearly a year since Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport shared details about the $590 million update to Terminal 3, including the addition of highly anticipated restaurants.

But there's good news and bad about changes that have occurred during the past 11 months.

The bad news first: Postino and Joyride Taco House will no longer open at Terminal 3, as previously reported. Both restaurants are owned by local restaurant group Upward Projects.

The good news: Chandler-based SanTan Brewing Company has joined the project and will occupy the space on the south concourse of Terminal 3.

'Tough decision' for Postino

The constraints of operating at the airport prevented Upward Projects from designing a space they could feel happy with, CEO and co-founder Lauren Bailey told The Republic.

Lauren Bailey, Upward’s co-founder and CEO.(Photo: Upward Projects)

“We were super enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with HMSHost and Sky Harbor Airport, but ultimately had to make the tough decision to step away from the Terminal 3 project,” Bailey said in a written statement.

“There was an incredible effort made by all parties to bring this to life," she added, "but we came to a point where we realized we just couldn't design our restaurant spaces in a manner that satisfied both the needs that we hold dearly as a company as well as the equally important parameters necessary for HMSHost and Sky Harbor to manifest their vision for Terminal 3."

A year ago, Upward Projects partnered with an investment firm to launch an expansion in nearby states including Texas and Colorado. Brentwood Associates, the California-based private equity firm, also played a role in the national expansion of restaurant brands including Zoe's Kitchen and Blaze Pizza.

Founded in Phoenix, Upward Projects has eight Postino wine bars in Arizona, Colorado and Texas; plus two locations of Joyride Taco House, in Phoenix and Gilbert. A ninth Postino is scheduled to open soon in Houston. The company also owns Windsor, Churn and Federal Pizza in Phoenix, all near Postino and Joyride on Central Avenue.

The Arcadia location of Postino WineCafe.(Photo: Postino Arcadia)

Where SanTan will land at the airport

According to a Sky Harbor spokesperson, SanTan Brewing Company has since been contracted to occupy the space in Terminal 3. The restaurant and brewpub will be located on the south concourse and is expected to open in early 2019. The north concourse is slated to to be completed in 2020.

In a statement to The Republic, the brewery confirmed plans to open at the airport.

"We’re excited to be bringing SanTan Brewing into Sky Harbor," the statement reads. "The new full-service restaurant and bar is set to open in alignment with Sky Harbor’s Terminal 3 modernization project. Travelers will enjoy our award-winning craft beers, including a rotation of seasonal specials, as well as our craft food classics."

Brewmaster Anthony Canecchia founded SanTan Brewing Company in 2007. It has two location: The original downtown Chandler brewery and a second brewpub in central Phoenix, in a former Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill space.